6 Easy DIY Hacks to get more storage in your home

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Since we moved into our 1930s renovation in 2016, it seems like we just keep accumulating more stuff. Particularly since we’re renovators and home interior fans, we just find that the bits keep on coming. Trust us, we have passed the point of ‘peak stuff’ now and reined it in (honest!). However, there are a few easy things we’ve done since moving in that have really enhanced our storage space.

We hope these storage ideas inspire you!

1. Find new uses for unused areas

We’ve installed a hallway console table in a nice little nook just by our front door. Previously it was just a bit of a dumping ground for shoes, now it houses two drawers that serve as useful “stuff by the door” storage for keys, mail, hats, scarves and so on.

We store logs and shoes in the lower section of the console table as you can see in this pic.

2. Buy a trunk for storage

Our utility room renovation has come on leaps and bounds since we moved in. Once it was an unloved/abandoned lean-to, now it’s a lovely area for doing our washing / drying and with some handy storage to boot!

We recommend purchasing a trunk to get some decent storage space. We purchased a charming trunk which serves the purpose of storing bags, shoes, cycling bits and any random larger things we don’t know where to put. It also serves as a handy seat for putting on shoes etc. (and Fi watches the birds sometimes here).

3. Lay loft flooring

You did it neil!

Neil’s ‘most chuffed with himself’ DIY moment involved the part of the house our blog readers are most unfamiliar with - the loft. When we moved in, there was no ladder to go up there. We installed and Envirofold loft ladder then Neil set to work on installing loft flooring. If you’re interested in finding out more about this project then check out Neil’s Ultimate Guide: How to Board Your Loft. It’s a pretty straightforward DIY that earned us SO much storage space.

Bonus tip: make use of the height in your loft by installing standalone shelving units.

4. DIY Storage under stairs

Under our stairs are two handy little cupboards. Thing is that when we bought the house the taller of the two cupboards had no shelves.

One afternoon following a trip to Travis Perkins, Neil had installed three handy, large shelves into the cupboard. This is now the storage area for all of our towels and bedding, great to make use of space.

5. Install hooks

Inside cupboards you can install hooks, either at the back of the cupboard or on the door. We use our ironing board cupboard to also store a couple of waterproof coats which works really well – but we’ve also spotted these solid wood hooks for only £8.99 from H&M. They’re the perfect size for behind a door or to fix to a wall. Also available in white.

6. Create alcove storage

One of our pivotal moments for the design of our living room renovation came when we decided to install alcove shelving and storage. We worked with a local carpenter to design and build useful and beautiful shelving that would make best use of the this prime real estate in our modest-sized 1930’s house living room.

Below the shelves on the left we created a TV unit with a pull out drawer that we now use for those living room bits and on the right we created an area with sections designed for wood, kindling and firelighters, the backs come off to allow us to gain access to the mains point.

If you enjoyed this post you might like our post on staircase ideas.